Death By Accelerated Dragon

2.Nf3 g6 is known as the Hyper-Accelerated Dragon. Instead of playing 2...d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6, which is the Dragon, or 2...Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6, which is the Accelerated Dragon, Black holds off on ...Nc6 and prepares to financhetto his dark-squared Bishop as quickly as possible. But why avoid 2...Nc6? One reason is that some players simply don’t like to face 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5, which is called the Rossolimo Variation. Another reason is that 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6 5.c4 can be annoying (though some players aren’t worried about 5.c4 at all). An immediate 2...g6, though still allowing White c2-c4 options, also gives Black more aggressive ways of dealing with them. Of course, though 2...g6 ends any worries about the Rossolimo, and also offers Black ways to add a bit of zest to the Maroczy setups, it gives White some other options that wouldn’t normally be possible.

Here’s a very tiny taste of the voluminous amounts of theory that’s out there after 2…g6:

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 Bg7 (3…cxd4 4.Nxd4 Bg7 avoids the Rossolimo but still allow s the Maroczy Bind) 4.Nc3 cxd4 takes us back into a pure Accelerated Dragon where Black has avoided the Rossolimo and Maroczy.

V.C. said: “A year before I played the same opponent, 3.Bc4 Bg7 4.Qf3 e6 5.Nh3 Nc6 6.Nb5 d6 7.Qf4 Be5 8.Qe3 a6 9.Nc3 Nf6 and I went on to win in 16 moves! I’ve considered ditching my Sicilian to play 1…g6 right away, rather than 1...c5 followed by 2...g6. However I remembered our last game and realized I had nothing to fear from his opening against the Sicilian.”

3...Bg7 4.Bc4

4.d4 cxd4 takes us back to the Accelerated Dragon.

4…Nc6

The most logical move. Black clamps down on the d4-square and makes an eventual d2-d4 push problematic.

5.d3

5.0-0 is more flexible. I’ll explain why in the note to black’s 5th move.

5…Nf6

Perfectly playable, but Black can aspire for more. For example 5…e6! followed by 6…Nge7 is an excellent way to handle the position since this deprives white’s pieces of the use of d5 and sets up an eventual …d7-d5 push for Black. The reason 5.0-0 is more flexible is that after 5…e6 White often gives 6.d4 a try when 6…cxd4 7.Nb5 (taking advantage of the hole on d6) has given reasonable results. However, now 5.d3 e6 6.d4 leaves White a full tempo down on those lines.

6.0-0

White gets a dull position after this. Instead, 6.e5 leads to a sharper battle: 6…Ng4 7.Bxf7+ Kxg7 8.Ng5+ Kg8 9.Qxg4 Nxe5 10.Qg3 d6 11.h4 when things start to heat up! For those that prefer …Nf6 to …e6 and …Nge7, 5…d6 followed by 6…Nf6 would avoid these complications.

6…0-0 7.h3 d6 8.Re1

White’s play has been toothless, but this position has still appeared 38 times in my database! However, all but one of the games is between low rated players.

8…Na5

V.C. said: “White has played a few passive moves so I decided to irritate his bishop.”

Someone with a little tactical experience would instantly notice the horrific possibilities along the open a1-h8 diagonal! 9.Bb3 is best, with a more or less equal game.

9…Nxc4?

Inaccurate. Stronger is 9…Nxe4! 10.Rxe4 Bxc3 11.Bg5 d5! 12.Bxe7 Qd7 13.Bxf8 (Better is 13.Bxd5 Qxd5 14.Bxf8 Kxf8 when Black has a winning game, but White can still put up a fight) 13…dxe4 and white’s dead.

10.bxc4

Also possible was 10.dxc4 Nxe4 11.Rxe4 Bxc3 12.Rb1 when white’s “just” a pawn down. Black’s much better, of course, but White has a solid structure and can swap dark-squared Bishops (leaving the dark-squares around black’s King a bit loose), stick his Rooks on the d- and e-files, and create a bit of pressure.

10…Nxe4 11.dxe4??

Ruining his pawn structure, blocking off the e-file, and losing the Exchange. That’s a lot of bad from one move! Correct was 11.Rxe4 Bxc3 12.Rb1 with a pawn less, but the battle is still ahead.

11…Bxc3 12.Bh6

12…Bg7??

V.C. said: “Perhaps 12...Re8 followed by taking one of the rooks would have been braver, but I was happy with a pawn advantage and white’s messed up pawn structure.”

Tsk! Chess is a game of greed, and if someone gives you some free material, you have to take it on principle. Of course, if you think that it’s not “free” and that he’s getting something serious for it, then decline. But is that the case here? Let’s look: 12…Bxe1 13.Bxf8 Bc3 14.Bh6 Bxa1 15.Qxa1 f6 and White, who is down an Exchange and a pawn and has no compensation whatsoever for it, can quietly resign. The same can be said for 12…Re8 13.Qd3 Bxa1. Finally, if you are really seeing dark-square doom along the a1-h8 diagonal (perhaps you didn’t notice …f7-f6, closing it down), then 12…Bxe1 13.Bxf8 Bxf2+ 14.Kxf2 Qxf8 leaves Black with two extra pawns.

13.Bxg7 Kxg7 14.e5

I think this helps Black. Instead, White should be patient and just build in the center and on the kingside by Qd3 followed by Rad1.

14…Be6

V.C. said: “I’d rather improve my minor piece than his.”

Since black’s a pawn up and also enjoys the superior pawn formation, it’s a good idea to exchange Queens if possible (black’s only worry are the dark-squares around his King – if the Queens go, the worries will also go). Thus: 14…dxe5 15.Rxe5 (Avoiding the trade by 15.Qe2 just makes matters worse after 15…f6) 15…Qxd1+ 16.Rxd1 Be6 17.Rxc5 Rfc8 18.Rb5 b6 when c4 will fall.

15.Qd3 h6?

V.C. said: “A waiting move that also restricts his knight.”

You can’t wait around since White threatens to put pressure on you with Rad1. Also, 15…h6 weakens your kingside (this is actually a subtle hint for the puzzle that follows). Instead, 15…d5 takes matters into your own hands: 16.Ng5 (16.Rad1 dxc4) 16…Bf5 17.Qxd5 e6! (threatening the Queen and …Qxg5) 18.Qxd8 Rfxd8 when threats like 19…Bxc2, 19…Rd2, and 19…Rd4 ensure that Black will once again have a material advantage.

16.Qc3??

A silly one-move threat that allows Black to safely push his d-pawn. Instead, 16.Rad1 calmly increases the central pressure. Then 16…Re8 17.Qc3 Kh7 18.Re4 intends 19.Rh4 and, at the very least, will scare you to death (actually, white’s suddenly getting some serious play).

Instead of 16.Rad1 Re8, what happens after 16…dxe5 17.Qc3 Qc7?

16…d5

V.C. said: “I think the best way to stop the threat of the discovered check.”

17.cxd5 Qxd5 18.a3

White needs to seek some activity or he’s toast. 18.Rad1 was best, when 18…Qxa2? 19.Qxc5 would considerably improve white’s chances. Instead, 18…Qc6 is right when black’s clearly better, but at least black’s Queen isn’t running rampant as in the game.

18…Qc4 19.Qb2 b6 20.Rad1 Rad8 21.c3 Qb3

V.C. said: “A lazy move. I saw Qc1, but I didn’t really have a follow up.”

Not having a follow up isn’t wise, but the move itself isn’t that bad.

22.Qc1 Rd5 23.Nd2?

Poor. Instead 23.Rxd5 Qxd5 24.Rd1 had to be tried. Note that 23.Rxd5 Bxd5 24.Nh2 sort of threatens 25.Ng4, hitting h6 (it’s not that huge a threat, but at least White’s trying to fight back). After 24.Nh2 Be6 25.Rd1 white’s stopped Black from taking over the d-file. Of course, Black would still have a winning game, but it would take some technique to rake in the point.

23…Qa4

V.C. said: “I don’t think white should have given me the d-file and 23...Qa2 would perhaps have been more active.”

There’s nothing wrong with either move.

24.Re4 Qa6?

You retain a huge plus after this, but much stronger was 24…Qd7!, laying claim to the d-file and creating a horrific pin against the poor Knight. After 25.Re2 Rad8 White has zero counterplay and will grovel until you put him out of his misery.

25.Rde1 Rfd8 26.Nf3 Rd3 27.Rh4 h5 28.c4??

V.C. said: “I don’t like c4, it stops …Bb3 but allows blacks queen into the action.”

An awful move. It not only hangs a3, but it also places the c-pawn on a square where it will forever be eyed by black’s Bishop. After 27…h5, quiet moves won’t help White because he’s down material, has an inferior pawn structure, and is facing death by d-file. Since his only chance is going after the enemy King, 28.Qg5 (threatening both 29.Rxh5 and 29.Qxe7) suggests itself: 28…f6 29.Qg3 (still threatening 30.Rxh5) 29...Rd1 (getting rid of one of white’s attacking pieces, which would have leapt into action after exf6+) 30.Rhe4! (30.Rxh5 Rxe1+ 31.Nxe1 Rd1 32.exf6+ exf6 33.Qc7+ Bd7 leads to a quick loss for White) 30…Qc8 (Probably best. 30…Bf7 is also logical, though White gets a bit of play after 31.Kh2 Rxe1 32.Rxe1 Rd3 33.exf6+ exf6 34.Re7. Bad is 30…f5?? due to 31.Nh4! Bf7 32.Nxf5+ and the only one who is better here is White!) 31.Kh2 Rxe1 32.Nxe1 Bf7 and though Black has defended solidly and retains his large advantage, White can chip away on the kingside and/or down the e-file and hope to get lucky.

28…Qxa3 29.Qg5 f6 30.exf6+ exf6 31.Qg3 Rd1 32.Qc7+

V.C. said: “32.Rxh5 Rxe1+ 33.Nxe1 Qxg3 34.fxg3 gxh5 would have been a nice finish. I hadn’t considered Qc7+ so I took a minute considering king moves before the obvious hit me.”

32…R8d7 33.Qc6

33…R1d6

V.C. said: “The queen can’t be allowed to stay on c6.”

Why can’t the Queen be allowed to stay on c6? Your 33…R1d6 is a good move, but so was 33…Bf7 or 33…Bf5, allowing white’s Queen to “enjoy” c6 for a little while longer. You have to be very careful when using the word “can’t” during a game, since that pretty much becomes a self fulfilling prophecy in that any move you look at will be designed to chase the Queen off of c6 (if something far better existed, you wouldn’t notice it because of the uttered “can’t”).

34.Qe4 Bf5??

Throwing the win away. Instead, 34…Bf7 kept things tight and safe. This just goes to show that winning a won game is a nightmare for amateurs and pros alike!

35.Qe8 Rd1

V.C. said: “Stopping Re7+, which would have been painful.”

No better is 35…Rf7 36.Re7, =.

36.Kh2??

Unaware that he was gifted with a miracle, White goes along with the program and continues to walk the road of defeat. Instead, 36.Rxd1 Rxd1+ 37.Kh2 Rd7 only leads to a draw. How can White save himself?

36…Rxe1 37.Qxe1 Qd3

V.C. said: “37.Nxe1 gives his 3 remaining pieces an amusing look, but I feel the threat of g4 more than makes up for it after say, 37...Rf7 then 38.g4 is awkward because 38...hxg4 leads to 39.Qh8 mate. 37…Qd3 also highlights a square that Nxe1 would have taken away.”

37.Nxe1 was probably a better try, but white’s position is still hopeless after 37…Qc1! when 38.g4 is met by 38…Qf4+ 39.Kg1 Qe4! 40.Qxe4 Bxe4 41.gxh5 Rd4 and it’s all over. Your 37.Nxe1 Rf7 isn’t necessary, but it still wins after 38.g4 Bd7.

38.Qa1 Qd6+ 39.g3

V.C. said: “Weakening his kingside, but I doubt he wanted to see 39.Kh1 Qd1+.”

39…Qd3

Even better is 39…Qd1, forcing the exchange of Queens since 40.Qa3 runs into tons of killer stuff. Of all black’s “killer stuff,” what’s best?

40.Rf4 Qe2

Even stronger is 40…Qb1! 41.Qa3? (41.Qxb1 is forced, but the endgame is hopeless) 41…Qf1 (threatening both 42…Qxh3+ and 42…Qxf2+) 42.Ng1 (42.Qe3 Qxh3+ 43.Kg1 g5! forces the win of white’s Rook for black’s Bishop) 42…Rd1 43.Qxa7+ Kh6 and White will soon be mated.

It’s important to put your opponent out of his misery when you have the chance since, if you allow him to keep breathing, you might find that he rises up and bashes you over the head.

41.Ng5??

Far better was 41.Nh4! when black’s Bishop can’t move due to Qxf6+. After 41…Qe6 42.Nxf5+ gxf5 black’s still winning, but black’s open King and his pawn weaknesses on f5 and h5 will force him to play accurately.

41…Qe5

V.C. said: “A cute pin, but it allows me force off the queens.”

An excellent move that ends white’s counterplay. In general, trading Queens is a great thing to do if your King’s a bit open (and it’s even better if all endgames are easily winning for you!).

* Mindlessly getting your stuff out in the opening (as White did in this game) will usually give your opponent a very nice position. Like it or not, you need to create a basic opening repertoire or the initial phase of the game will offer you nothing but misery as either color.

* Winning a pawn early in the game is great, but that doesn’t mean the game is over. You need to add to your material gain with more material gains, or ever-increasing positional gains. Never stop building up your position!

* In general, trading Queens is a great thing to do if your King’s a bit open (and it’s even better if all endgames are easily winning for you!).

* You have to be very careful when using the word “can’t” during a game, since any move you look at will be influenced by it.

* Pros and amateurs alike often have serious trouble winning won games.

* It’s important to put your opponent out of his misery when you have the chance since, if you allow him to keep breathing, you might find that he rises up and bashes you over the head.

[Would you like to have IM Silman comment on a game of yours? If so, send the game in PGN format, along with any questions and comments, to askjeremy@chess.com]

2) 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 followed by 4.d4 entering some form of a Maroczy Bind. Even though Black has various experimental options in this form of the Maroczy, White most likely retains a small edge anyway, with both sides having their chances.

Mr. Silman, what books or resources would you suggest for the player of the white pieces against the hyper-accelerated dragon? Usually, I play the Rossolimo or Canal, but (as mentioned) neither work against the hyper accelerated, if black wants to avoid them. In other words, I'm interested in studying my options as white against this neat opening.

So Silman, do you think it is true or false that chess games (ie, the list of moves and the formal relations they represent) stand or fall on their own, regardless of who made the moves, under what conditions the moves were made (ie, drunk, during 1 0, 15 0, 1000 0, between two 1300 players, between two GMs, etc), etc, when the purpose of showing the moves is to analyze themes/patterns/variations in an opening?

I am claim that it is true...that the moves stand or fall on their own. Others might claim that this is false. If chess is a game of formal logic, as mathematics is derived from logic, then claiming that a chess game stands or falls on its own merits (regardless of who played the game) would be as true as claiming that "1+2=3" is true or false regardless of who says it.

Justinluti made a very valid point, which I replied to. Spaceoddity also made sense, though both gentlemen saw things in a different way. But when they started attacking each other, I deleted their comments. Disagreements are the spice of life, but clobbering each other has no place in this forum. Please be respectful of each other.

now if white plays something like Be3 ,instead of c4, is true that black can avoid the maroczy if he plays Nf6 here instead of Bg7, forcing Nc3 from white to protect the e4 pawn? black isn't really afraid of Nxc6 bxc6 e5 is he? doesn't he have Qa4+? (not looking at a board, maybe this is wrong)

or if I have something wrong here (most likely) do there exist certain lines where black can change up the move order like this, playing Nf6 instead of Bg7, taking away white's option to play the maroczy in the acc. dragon given that white played a certain move order?

I know that there is no way for black to avoid the maroczy if white is dead set on playing it in the acc dragon. but is it possible for white to play a certain move in the opening that effectively allows black to take the maroczy option away from white? if that makes sense.

I will not answer the pedantry of SpaceOddity. It would be a complete waste of everyone's time.

I will however interact with IM Silman.

Let me clarify what I mean:

1. I was not really referring to games of "GM vs GM", but games where both players are playing well, and they are somewhat equally rated.

2. It is totally understood that in a short article, there is no way of going into the "ins and outs" of an opening!

3. The games of A vs B where B is much higher rated, and where B plays XYZ opening... I think those games can show the potential of thematic play in XYZ opening, PROVIDED THAT: A was playing excellently too, and did not make obvious blunders, B was making use of thematic ideas rather than highly specific tactics. IF NOT, could we honestly say that B's victory was the result of XYZ opening? Could we reasonably assume that the learner can use those same thematic ideas to defeat his opponent?

If it is just a "feel for the position" that the games are supposed to impart, then ok. If it's "this is how good play could lead to victory", fine. But if it is "this opening could take you there", I have my doubts!

Whatever the case: I personally enjoy IM SIlman's writings. It's great that he continues to share his wisdom with us.

Concerning the importance of the ratings of the players...it's completely irrelevant. Chess games stand or fall by their own merits. As a practical matter, it's easier to find higher quality games (ie, fewer blunders) by looking at games of higher rated payers with longer time controls (duh). What matters for 'pedagogical value' is the pedagogical value of the game+analysis. What matters is that the writer (in this case, IM Silman) choose a game, or set of games, that accurately illustrate or thoughfully illuminate what it is that the writer wants to illustrate or illuminate. I'm sure, if you look hard enough, you can find some 1 0 games played by 1800 level players who go fairly deep into an opening--ie, if both of the the players use the hyper-accelerated dragon as their 'pet' opening, and both can defend/attack it and both like playing each other.

Pedagogical value is in the content of the article as a whole. Any individual game, without comments or illumination, has no pedagogical value in isolation. The content of the article, as a whole, is what has pedagogical value. The pedagogical value of any element derives its value in relation to the article as a whole. The whole has parts, but the whole is distinct from the parts. In this case, the article as a whole has done its job if it provides the reader with a deeper understanding of the hyper-accelerated dragon. Whether that is achieved using games where white wins or black wins, or with 1800 players or GMs is irrelevant. The work and skill by Silman is in choosing the right games with the right moves for the right point that he wants to communicate.

in short, the criticism/comment about the pedagogical value of low-rated games misses the point of what constitutes pedagogical value.

Great article. I just glanced at couple of variation, but will definitely read more once I have more time. I have been playing Hyper-Accelerated Dragon for two years now, and I have a pretty good system worked out against Anti-Sicilians also. The are only two things that trouble me as black: Maroczy Bind and 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 cxd4. 5.Qxd4 line, which I am still not comfortable playing because I had trouble finding good way to equalize as black.

justinluti made an interesting comment: "I wonder about the pedagogical value of games showing a victory for the black side (the side who is learning) in which black's rating is much higher."

Showing games with non-titled opponents isn't very useful if you're a GM or IM trying to learn the ins and outs of a particular opening. However, the hardcore main lines and critical theoretical debates aren't really things that amateur's need agonize over. Far more important is acquainting oneself with the bread and butter of the system, the various pawn structures, the typical tactical motiffs, and the basic theoretical moves (first 10 to 15 moves maximum... after that, understanding the opening's soul will allow you to play against any enemy move, while memorization won't).

For this purpose, looking over full games where your side is represented by a high rated IM or stronger (this means that your side will usually be handled correctly), while the other side is at least 2250 (FIDE), will prove extremely instructive since many of the mistakes the weaker side plays will offer a master class on how to crush them.

In a nutshell: The idea that the best games for an amateur are GMs vs. other GMs is totally bogus. In amateur chess, the vast majority of games leave mainline theory quite quickly. Your success or failure then depends on understanding, not memorization!

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